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China settlement of antitrust probe may be start of Qualcomm's woes

It is likely to intensify global scrutiny of firm's highly profitable patent licensing business

Tue, Dec 30, 2014 - 5:50 AM

Qualcomm is expected by industry sources to agree to changes in how it charges royalties on cellphones sold in China, which will hurt its bottom line in its fastest-growing and most significant market.

PHOTO: REUTERS

San Francisco

THE settlement of China's antitrust probe into Qualcomm Inc is likely to intensify global scrutiny of the firm's highly profitable patent licensing business, and may even call into question its worldwide contracts with smartphone makers such as Apple and Samsung.